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3232Words on Bathroom Walls tells honest, humorous story of teen with schizophreniahttp://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/words-on-bathroom-walls-tells-honest-humorous-story-of-teen-with-schizophrenia/
http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/words-on-bathroom-walls-tells-honest-humorous-story-of-teen-with-schizophrenia/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 04:04:57 +0000http://thematadorsghs.us/?p=6619In recent years, there has been a boom of books centered around a main character with some kind of mental illness, whether it be depression or even antisocial personality disorder. These novels are riding the waves of recent events that have the general public wanting more awareness for mental disorders. Though, stories are often muddled with the romanticism and sensationalism of mental health issues.

Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton is unlike many other books I read. It is a humorous and honest story that delivers a beautiful narrative through the therapy journals of Adam, a teenager with schizophrenia.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. Although it is not as common as other mental disorders, the symptoms can be very disabling.

The plot revolves around Adam starting an experimental drug trial that will help him ignore some aspects of his symptoms, such as hallucinations. With his transfer to a new high school where no one knows about his condition, Adam is able to live a more freeing life. The fictional drug ToZaPrex, however, gradually fails, but he tries his best to not let anyone become aware of his schizophrenia.

Adam’s self-aware sense of humor allows readers to understand him as a regular person and not just someone who is defined by a mental illness. I felt the need to root for him, laugh with him, and get to know him a little bit more. I wanted him to succeed, with or without ToZaPrex.

Seeing that Walton is not a doctor and has not personally experienced schizophrenia, she did an incredible amount of research in order to make this book as sincere as it can be. As Walton’s debut novel, her writing style and the way she portrays Adam feels so much more rich and honest than other novelists who write in the Young Adult (YA) genre. She even greatly informs readers about the illness by debunking several stereotypes and explaining the difference between positive symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, movement disorders and negative symptoms, like apathy, difficulty beginning/sustaining activities, reduced speaking.

All in all, this book is a great read if you want something with just a tad bit of self-deprecation and a load of truthful comedy. Words on Bathroom Walls contrasts many YA novels with its ability to paint Adam as a relatable and realistic character.

]]>http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/words-on-bathroom-walls-tells-honest-humorous-story-of-teen-with-schizophrenia/feed/0All Male performs in homecoming rally for first time in five yearshttp://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/all-male-performs-in-homecoming-rally-for-first-time-in-five-years/
http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/all-male-performs-in-homecoming-rally-for-first-time-in-five-years/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 03:46:38 +0000http://thematadorsghs.us/?p=6613With their first performance at homecoming rally in almost five years, All Male gets the crowd excited with their latest routine as they danced to hit songs “Take You Down” by Chris Brown and “Sicko Mode” by Travis Scott featuring Drake.

In addition to being their first homecoming rally performance in a while, the members of All Male felt nervous and excited to perform with their secret female guest, senior Vivian Nguyen who has been dancing with the team behind the scenes ever since her junior year and was given an opportunity to dance with them for homecoming rally.

“Honestly, I was really excited to perform with Vivian,” first-year All Male member junior Levin Chang said. “The only thing I was worried about was whether or not she would be feeling distant from the team or felt judged by everyone else.”

With only a few weeks after fall rally to get their performance ready, the members of All Male felt the pressure to deliver a routine that would leave an impression on the student body as they were not given the same amount of time to prepare compared to fall rally.

“Learning and cleaning the pieces in a few weeks time was really stressful, especially because our team is fairly inexperienced in dance,” All Male leader sophomore Kenny Chai said. “We had to have four to six practices a week [and] adding practices on the weekends. We haven’t performed for homecoming rally in a really long time because there [wasn’t] enough time between fall rally and homecoming rally to prepare.”

The homecoming rally was also the first time that the current team performed on the football turf.

“Dancing on the turf feels extremely different from what we usually dance on,” Chai said. “Some moves that were intended to be simple were difficult because it was hard to get around. I personally felt that dancing on the turf also made it more tiring and hard to go full out.”

Despite the pressure of having less time to prepare a routine, All Male is now aiming to perform at homecoming rally every single year.

]]>http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/all-male-performs-in-homecoming-rally-for-first-time-in-five-years/feed/0Transgender policy limits creative expressionhttp://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/transgender-policy-limits-creative-expression/
http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/transgender-policy-limits-creative-expression/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 03:32:07 +0000http://thematadorsghs.us/?p=6572The United States as well as the rest of the world has had periods of strict conservatism. Even before President Donald Trump’s inauguration, there has been a record number of attempts to remove the rights of LGBTQ+ people. In recent years, various policies were implemented by the Trump administration with the intent to further strip away the rights of the those in the transgender community. With a newly proposed anti-transgender policy, the Trump administration poses a larger threat to the transgender community now more than ever.

The policy, outlined in a draft memo by the Department of of Health and Human Services, was recently obtained by the New York Times. It would rescind President Barack Obama’s previous policy which gave a broader definition of gender. The Trump administration is now proposing to redefine gender as unchangeable so that a person is permanently considered male or female based on their sex. This is not to be confused with gender, which is a classification of its own because sex is assigned at birth whereas gender is what individuals identify as.

By proposing a policy that targets the transgender community, the Trump administration is essentially denying people of federal recognition due to their birth given sex. Instead of allowing a transgender individual to identify themself, the Trump administration is going to permit the government to make that paramount decision for them.

The policy will drastically affect the lives of over 1.4 million Americans who identify as transgender by exposing them to further bullying and harassment in addition to the hostility many already may face from family members and their community. It will cause a rollback of transgender rights which will only make it more difficult for transgender people to gain access to health care and gender-appropriate bathrooms, especially if they are students. The policy excludes students from Title IX, which is meant to prevent sexual discrimination and protect their rights to use whichever restroom and locker room is in accordance with their gender identity.

According to the draft memo, the government would resolve any dispute over ambiguity by having the transgender person undergo genetic testing, which may do more harm than good as it may be considered an infringement of constitutional rights. However, according to a letter addressed to the Trump administration, signed by over 1,600 scientists, no scientific test can “unambiguously determine gender or even sex.” This highlights a potential flaw in the the Trump administration’s reasoning to restrict gender to a binary model.

Furthermore, gender is not a simple concept. The policy is an inhumane restriction which will inhibit people’s rights to identify as their preferred gender, leading to the termination of civil rights for the transgender community.

]]>http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/transgender-policy-limits-creative-expression/feed/0Food Review: YOU Kitchen will surely make YOU satisfiedhttp://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/food-review-you-kitchen-will-surely-make-you-satisfied/
http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/food-review-you-kitchen-will-surely-make-you-satisfied/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 03:31:52 +0000http://thematadorsghs.us/?p=6576You Kitchen, a Chinese restaurant that recently opened in Alhambra, specializes in handmade dumplings, authentic buns, beef rolls, and various pancakes. They also serve specialized regional food, such as soups, noodles, and MalaTang (spicy hot pot).

When I first arrived, I was drawn to a machine placed closely to the left of the entrance. You Kitchen had installed a self-ordering system, which I found very convenient to use. My friend and I were able to choose where we wanted to sit as well.

After ordering on the machine, I took a good look at the restaurant. For a place that had opened just recently, there were no customers other than us. The atmosphere was comforting in this small restaurant that could seat eight tables of people. There was a clear window panel, allowing customers to witness the art of dumpling-making as the staff made them by hand. Against the wall and windows were banners of Chinese characters and small illustrations of men in traditional Chinese clothing serving food, eating food, and making food.

The staff was extremely kind. They greeted us with a smile and introduced every dish that was delivered. My friend and I ordered the scallion pancake ($3.99), pan-fried pork buns ($8.99), and juicy steam buns ($8.99). On the menu, most of the items were reasonably ranged from $4.50 to $9.99. The food arrived quicker than I anticipated.

Served in nine triangles, the scallion pancakes were delectable due to their crunchy, yet chewy texture. My personal favorite was the pan-fried pork buns, served in six, because of both their texture and taste. The buns had a crunchy exterior on the bottom, whereas other sides remained soft. The skin was quite tasteless, but the juicy pork inside and the great texture made up for it. The juicy steam buns, which were served in eight, were absolutely mouthwatering. When I ate one juicy steam bun in one bite, there was a burst of what I initially thought was flavorful soup and pork itself. It was actually pork fat that had been solidified as jelly, which becomes liquid when the buns are steamed.

Overall, I definitely would recommend You Kitchen to those who crave dumplings or any sort of Chinese food for an inexpensive price in a small, cozy atmosphere. You Kitchen is located at 1402 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra, CA 91801.

Directed by George Tillman Jr., The Hate U Give showcases social injustice and police brutality in the eyes of a young black girl named Starr Carter (played by Amandla Stenberg), who balances two lifestyles. Attending a school in a white community, Carter needs to avoid black stereotypes. In her black neighborhood, she struggles to fit in because she is considered “too white.”

The film encapsulates unjust police treatment in the black community. Through family sacrifices, violence, activism, and Carter’s journey of growth, it is no doubt that it is categorized as a drama and thriller with well-developed characters.

The Hate U Give projects many strong emotions throughout the film. When Carter’s childhood friend, Khalil, was unjustly shot by a white police officer, it induced a sense of fury and rage, due to a misunderstanding that clearly stemmed from racial stereotypes. Khalil’s death sparked protests from the community to end social injustice once and for all.

As the only witness, Carter has to decide whether or not to speak up about it—at the cost of losing her reputation at school.

I definitely received more than I expected from this film. The Hate U Give had my jaw dropping and heart pounding at the suspenseful climax, my heart fluttering during lighthearted scenes, and my eyes teary when I was furious. It became my personal favorite film of all time.

Although The Hate U Give tackles serious issues, it was able to do so in a light, yet powerful and effective manner. However, it does not solely focus on these issues because Carter’s friendship and relationship problems were able to bring a refreshing, light aspect to the film.

I would strongly recommend this heartfelt film due to its honest entirety and lack of filter on real world issues. Not only was it not afraid to touch upon controversial topics surrounding ethnicity, but it was able to do so in a powerful, entertaining, and emotional fashion.

]]>http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/review-the-hate-u-give-captures-reality-of-social-injustice/feed/0Hernández dances into maturity through folkloric ballethttp://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/hernandez-dances-into-maturity-through-folkloric-ballet/
http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/hernandez-dances-into-maturity-through-folkloric-ballet/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 03:31:08 +0000http://thematadorsghs.us/?p=6560Caption: Junior Hernández performs a routine from the Mexican state of Chiapas. The movements are slow and timid, with elegant gestures meant to show off the dress.

For junior Alina Hernández, dancing is a rite of passage. At the age of eight, Hernández was introduced to baile folclórico by her mother, who also started dancing at a similar age. Baile folclórico, or folkloric ballet, is a traditional Mexican dance best known for its ballet-like characteristics and emphasis for local folk culture.

“Each region of Mexico has their [own] style of dance and dress, so we learn different techniques and [dress accordingly] for each,” Hernández said.

Stepping foot on the stage is an out of body experience, according to Hernández. This is due to the overwhelming pressure to execute the performance flawlessly.

“When I get on stage, I feel a rush, but a good rush,” Hernández said. “The adrenaline is so fast, I don’t feel present sometimes, [and it] makes me feel like I’m flying.

In spite of their love of the art and cultural tie, the competitive nature of the sport created a toxic environment that led to Hernández and her mother going on hiatus. Her instructor from her former dance team was harsh towards both dancers and parents.

“My mom had enough, and we left to find a new professional group,” Hernández said.

Due to the unexpected break, Hernández learned to appreciate the role dance had in her life and its contribution to her maturity.

“I [came] to be proud to show off my culture instead of dancing because my mom told me to,” Hernández said. “I began dancing for myself and those around me.”

The dancer also realized that in order to become a better ballerina, she needed to prioritize her well-being.

Ultimately, the experience motivated her and helped her look past the harsh criticism from others.

“[My current dance group,] Sol de Fuego taught me that mistakes are okay and can help you [discover] what you need to fix yourself,” Hernández said.

Hernández does not regret having gone back to dance due to the opportunity it provided her to get in touch with her culture.

“When I’m dancing—even at practice—I feel like I have a purpose,” Hernández said. “Dancing helps remind me where I’m from, because those dances have been taught for generations.”

One of Hernández’s favorite dances is inspired by the Mexican Revolutionary War and is native to Chihuahua, Mexico. She takes inspiration from one of the original dancers, Juana Gallo, who used the dance to represent the women who sacrificed their lives fighting for their country.

“The dance has very sharp and defining movements [that resemble a soldier’s],” Hernández said. “They never smile in this dance [and are] very serious and prideful.”

Hernández hopes to use her dancing as a platform for the stories she has learned so that others may also understand its cultural significance. The ballerina also learns from the art to become a stronger person much like the individuals that came before her.

]]>http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/hernandez-dances-into-maturity-through-folkloric-ballet/feed/0How to make gourmet toasthttp://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/how-to-make-gourmet-toast/
http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/how-to-make-gourmet-toast/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 03:26:01 +0000http://thematadorsghs.us/?p=6546In recent years, there has been craze for the trending avocado toast seen on Instagram feeds. It is no surprise that toast has gained a lot of traction not only on social media, but also in people’s stomachs. Toast is incredibly versatile and can be topped with almost anything. It is filling, healthy, quick to prepare, and simple, as well as easily changed to fit one’s needs and preferences.

In a bowl, mash the avocado. Sprinkle in salt to your liking and mix. Spread onto your toast.

This is the basic version of avocado toast. However, if you want to spice it up and upgrade your toast, you can add the following items:

Different spices (garlic powder, onion powder) to your avocado

Lemon juice for a little acidity

A drizzle of olive oil

A sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes

Tomato and mozzarella slices

Fresh herbs (basil)

Egg (fried, over-easy, poached)

Cherry or sun-dried tomatoes

The easiest way to improve your toast is to use high quality bread as your foundation for all of your toppings. When it comes to avocado toast, the possibilities are truly endless.

]]>http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/how-to-make-gourmet-toast/feed/0Apples to angels Kevin Jianghttp://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/apples-to-angels-kevin-jiang/
http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/apples-to-angels-kevin-jiang/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 03:23:16 +0000http://thematadorsghs.us/?p=6590Coming from the lights of New York City (NYC) and flying through the skies, junior Kevin Jiang did not have a choice to decide if he wanted to go away to the state of California (CA) when he was a newborn. Jiang was very young when his family relocated from his original home, which resulted in a different social environment.

“My family [was] born in NYC and we moved here to try out the living conditions here,” Jiang said. “I was about two months old when I moved here by plane according to my grandparents, so I don’t know much.”

As time went on, his parents left him to go back to work. His siblings also chose to travel back to NYC because living there was not for them. Jiang stayed as his home was in Rosemead now.

“My family stayed here [for a little] but didn’t like it as much as I did so they moved back,” Jiang said. “It’s just me and my grandparents now.”

Despite liking the area that he lives in, Jiang was unsure about living in CA due to complications with his stay.

“Rides were a problem because [my grandparents] are much older and tend to not go out as much as my parent would, but I usually go out by myself,” Jiang said. “I like the city a little more here at Los Angeles because it is more unique [and] diverse. There is always something happening.”

Although Jiang may never think of living in NYC again, he does visit every once in a while. However, this year Jiang does not plan to visit his family as he no longer enjoys going there anymore because he does not do much there. His family also plans to move back to Rosemead in two years to spend more time with him.

]]>http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/apples-to-angels-kevin-jiang/feed/0Free community collegehttp://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/free-community-college/
http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/free-community-college/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 03:22:49 +0000http://thematadorsghs.us/?p=6593California residents can attend any community college in California for free through a state program that covers tuition fees.

The California College Promise Grant (CCPG)’s goal is to make higher education more affordable and accessible to students who otherwise cannot pay for the cost of college.

Tuition currently costs $46 per unit for all community college courses. According to the California Community Colleges system, the grant gave out more than $803 million in financial aid to over half of the 2.1 million community college students in the state for the 2013-14 academic year.

Tony Tran, San Gabriel’s East Los Angeles College ambassador, said that CCPG is based on a previous financial aid program.

“The grant is from a fee waiver we used to have,” Tran said. “We used to have a Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver, and if you qualified for the fee waiver, it waived your tuition.”

The BOG Fee Waiver changed its name in 2017 to CCPG. However, its eligibility requirements, application process, and benefits remain the same.

Qualification for CCPG is determined by demonstrated financial need.

“Everything is sent to [Free Application for Federal Student Aid],” Tran said. “We determine your income through FAFSA, and if you qualify with your income, you can get the grant.”

Once qualified, students are expected to maintain certain academic and progress standards in college. Their grade point average must be at least 2.0, and they must pass more than half their classes. Inability to sustain the minimum requirements may result in loss of grant eligibility.

The grant only covers tuition; it does not pay for books and supplies.

Visit <icanaffordcollege.com> or the College and Career Center for more information.

]]>http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/free-community-college/feed/0AUSD to launch Food Recovery Program at SGHShttp://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/ausd-to-launch-food-recovery-program-at-sghs/
http://thematadorsghs.us/index.php/2018/11/15/ausd-to-launch-food-recovery-program-at-sghs/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 03:21:56 +0000http://thematadorsghs.us/?p=6597As a means to reducing food waste, the Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) is launching the Food Recovery Program at SGHS as its piloting site in mid-Nov.

Students will be encouraged to place uneaten fresh and dried fruits in bins that will be placed near the cafeteria and Grab ‘N’ Go stations. According to Senate Bill 557, food donations from public schools “may include prepackaged, non-potentially hazardous food with the packaging still intact and in good condition.”

“Of course, we would like to have our students eat their fruits and vegetables and the different meal components,” AUSD Food Service Director Judy Huffaker, who is overseeing the program’s coordination, said. “But for those who are not eating them and just discarding them, we would like to see a way to recycle that and offer it to people in need.”

The donations will be collected by volunteers from the Tzu Chi Foundation—which AUSD also partnered with in past food pantries events at Alhambra High School—twice a week and then given to families in need. On campus, the program is also welcomed by the administration, staff, and students.

“When we do this project, we don’t see it [as] just [within the] Food [and Nutrition] Services—it takes many partners,” Huffaker said. “We have a proactive group, which makes a nice collaboration.”

During the program’s development, science teacher David Whitman voiced his concern to the district regarding food waste, when he and his students became aware of the uneaten food in the trash. Currently, Whitman and senior Matthew Perez are working with Huffaker for the program’s kickoff.

“I brought in some trash after lunch, and we dumped it on the table; there [was] so much uneaten food, it would just blow your mind,” Whitman said. “We are going to put [some] signs up where kids get their free breakfast and see if we can use these signs to reduce the amount of food waste.”

Perez and Whitman were both invited to a district meeting back in August to discuss about the program’s startup. Collaborating with Whitman again, Perez is working on a documentary to promote awareness of the growing food waste problem.

“The main point of this documentary is to have children get food they’ll eat, because they need it, not because they can get it for free,” Perez said.

Environmental Club adviser and history teacher Henry Osborne said that the program can be potentially beneficial to not only the environment but also the economy.

“Not only is throwing away food like throwing away money, either personal or that of taxpayers, there are also big environmental costs associated with the growth, processing, transportation, storage, and disposal of food that eventually goes to waste,” Osborne said.

If this program succeeds at the SGHS site, the district hopes to expand the program to their other school campuses.